The Civil Society Network for Good Governance (CSNGG), an umbrella body of 87 CSOs has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for ensuring strict adherence to all rules and regulations guiding approvals and issuance of licensing in the upstream sector.
Its President, Adefila Kama, while addressing a press conference Thursday in Abuja, said these regulations within a few months of its introduction have resulted in the transparent bridging of oil and gas products and price equalization management that have saved the government billions of Naira.
The group said it observed that the Commission under the leadership of Mr. Gbenga Komolafe has embarked on laudable reform to reposition NUPRC in the promotion of sustainable value creation from Nigeria’s petroleum resources for shared prosperity.
Kama said: “We are aware that in its moves within and even outside NUPRC to sanitize the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, the Engineer Gbenga-led Commission per the plan of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came up with regulations to curb oil theft and losses through operational and administrative leakages.”
“NURPC in less than a year of operation under the focus has ensured strict adherence to all rules and regulations guiding approvals and issuance of licensing in the upstream sector.”
Kama stressed that the commission had been praised for its sterling performance and ability to raise about N174 billion in signature bonuses paid for marginal oil fields and developed regulatory initiatives within a short period.
The Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC did not only ensure due process was followed in every of the Commission’s dealings but also prioritized the wellbeing of his staff and management team.
The group, however, decried the campaign of calumny against Kolawole, insisting that allegations against him as a misrepresentation of fact.
It said: “The CSOs Network is also not unaware of the plot by a few misguided members of the public who are anti-reform to bring the name of the Commission and that of the CEO to disrepute over fabricated and unsubstantiated claims.”
The group stressed they have among others, accused the management team of non-remittance of pension deductions, poor working environment, and insufficient working tools.
It said, “This is a misrepresentation of facts, all evidence available to us showed that as one of the most experienced public servants who put in many years, Engineer Gbenga prioritize staff well-being and this is evident in many welfare packages he rolled out for them.
“We know the antics, it’s all about playing the agenda of some external forces who are not happy with the smooth operations and success stories of the commission whose only job is to implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to the last line.”
The group, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard further lies that will be dished out by those it described as detractors and anti-reforms.